Precious

Chapter 19

Author's note: I have another story that I will be posting tomorrow and one more after that shortly. They will all fall in the same universe as 'Precious'. Either existing in the same time or in the past. Again, I apologize for the delays in posting.

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“It’s a boy.” Vinny declared proudly as they exited Dr. Giacomo’s office.

Nick held up the sonogram again. Despite being a trained nurse, it still amazed him at what all doctors could see from a simple black and white hazy image. “It’s too little to tell.”

Vinny shook his head, smiling and wrapped an arm around Nicky’s shoulders. “I know this. A father knows these things.”

Nicky knocked his shoulder against Vinny’s playfully, taking a slight delight in hearing the man’s feigned exhalation of pain. “Technically, I’m his father too and I don’t know anything.”

The law was update with legal definitions of parenthood. Bearer was know the pejorative term for the parent that birth the child. Yet, the society was far behind in updating its perceptions of mother and fatherhood. He was a man through and through, but to the delicate social sensibilities of the majority at large, he would be the child’s mother. Whatever his child wanted to call him, he would accept. Mapa, the combination of Mama and Papa, was preferable. Again, they’d cross that bring when they came to it.

Vinny halted their lazy stroll, his hand tightening just fractionally from comfortable to too tight around Nicky’s wrist. Nick faced his husband, his face sobering as he took in the expression the older man wore. Those dark eyes were steely and stony, like pieces of raw flint; they bore into Nicky as if they could see right inside. Returning the sudden stare made Nick’s lungs hurt. He hadn’t realized he was holding his breath.

“Vinny?” He whispered despite their proximity to each other and the near privacy they had on the vacant sidewalk.

Lips part ready to ask if something is wrong, but he stops again. This time, because Vinny’s eyes have gone soft around the edges and he’s looking at Nicky with a soft expression that looks more like sympathy than anger.

“Caro.” Vinny began. His grip dropped from Nicky’s wrist. Shoring finding purchase against Nick’s flat layer-covered stomach. Spreading his digits across the layers of wool and cotton, the material bunched and crumpled, resisting his touch. The heft and heat of Vinny’s hand filled that spot with a familiar bubbly spark. “You know our child best of all.”

Transfixed by those dark eyes and rendered speechless, Nicky could only nod. Vinny gave him a quick peck on the forehead and once again entwined their fingers.

As they walked, Nicky reminded himself that Vinny’s intensity was one of the reasons he loved him. Yes, he’d been skittish before and Vinny had come on too strong, but now, he could see that these were just their personality traits. Vinny was strong-willed and determined. Those two traits were an understatement; Vinny had been determined to get him, and they were married. Nick hadn’t been sure he wanted children, and he was pregnant. He was extremely excited about the last turn of events.

There had been a million different turns his life could have taken once his parents found out. None of them had been nearly as satisfying as this one. Life had given him his just rewards: a partner and lover, a best friend, his grandmother, a real family.

Holding Vinny’s hand tighter, the realization that his life was in a state of harmony dawned on him. It felt good.

There was no denying that he was still nervous, a bit afraid of a having a kid. It wouldn’t be easy having a child. Raising him—he caught himself using Vinny’s gender pronouncement, would be easy, because he didn’t have to do it alone. Their child would always be loved no matter what. He, Vinny, Grandma Ruby, Adrian, and Sal would all make sure of it.

“Our child is lucky to have you as its father.” Nick said.

Vinny swept up their entwined hands and kissed the back of Nicky’s lovingly. “I know our children will be blessed and happy.”

They continued on their way back to the car. The streets were fairly empty for a Monday afternoon. The weather was cool with just the right amount of wintry bite in the sporadic gusts of wind. They wouldn’t have their child this Christmas, yet they’d be a family every one thereafter.

The sonogram in his pocket felt leaden and hot, as if it was attempting to burn a hole in his pocket. He’d promised Adrian, and not his grandmother, first dibs on the pictures.

So caught you in his thoughts, Nicky hadn’t noted the change in Vinny’s posture as they neared the car. Vinny squeezed his hand, the sudden increase in pressure was frightening. Vinny opened the car door. ‘What’s wrong, Vin--”

The words were lost as Vinny shoved Nick into the car. Nick’s head spun and it took him a minute to collect himself. His eyes landed on the rearview mirror above his head. There, he saw two men approaching from the opposite direction. Their steps were determined and their faces blank, save for the look of dark intent written in their eyes. Nick watched in morbid fascination as the men moved in synchronized harmony, hands slipping behind them. He turned back his gaze back to Vinny who was doing the same.

His breathing trickled to a stop. Air departed his lips as a half strangled gasp. He looked back to the rearview mirror; the men on the sidewalk had their weapons drawn. A sound pierced the air just as he began to scream for Vinny. The sounds like localized thunder came fast and furiously. Small flashes of light blinded him as the exchange continued.

There was a constant volley, until he saw one of the men stumble back, rocked by the force of a bullet. The other lost his balance and fell to a knee. The two gunmen clutched their respective wounds and half-limped and ran from the scene.

His heart was in his throat; he couldn’t seem to catch his breath. “Vinny?”

The inquiry was met with silence.

“Vinny?” He called again.

Slowly, Nicky twisted his body towards the door. It was hard to remove his eyes from the mirror, fear’s grip upon him inclined him to make sure the men wouldn’t be coming back. His breath stopped. Vinny rested against the door, his legs splayed and spread before him. A thin stream of blood flowed over his bottom lip.

The sight of his husband injured so severely left Nick in a minor state of stock. His reaction was slow and delayed, until he exploded into action.

Nicky scrambled out of the car and fell on to the pavement. “Vinny?” He needed to gather his wits. His trembling hand drifted out to touch Vinny’s carotid artery, and found the faintest throb there.

“Thank God.” He said in a pained voice. “Don’t worry, baby. I’ll save you.”

Nick began to press his hands to the Vinny’s wounds when the gleam of the shiny weapon caught his eye. He needed to get rid of that first.

He’d just tasted happiness a minute ago. No one was going to take it from him now.
***